Our Mission

Amendemnt 1, the Florida Water and Land Legacy Amendment, passed on Tuesday with nearly 75% of Florida voters supporting dedicated funding for water and land conservation. Amendment 1 received more votes than any other candidate or referendum on Tuesday's ballot.

Floridians understand the value of clean and abundant water for people and wildlife, and they cherish the natural areas that make Florida special. That’s why Amendment 1 would ensure that these values have a place in our state’s constitution. Find out more about Amendment 1 and how can you help at voteyeson1fl.org.

Erin Sullivan reports in Folio Weekly – “(Florida) legislators addressed everything from the establishment of a Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame to penalties for the possession of spiny lobsters to creating an official Florida Storytelling Week. But one issue they refused to address, at least in any meaningful way, is the potentially devastating water shortage staring down the entire state.” ReadTapped out.

Bruce Ritchie reports in the Florida Current – 2014 ended up not being the “Year of Water” in the Florida legislature. Ritchie provides an end of session summary on the fate of environment and natural resources legislation and funding. Read the full story here.

Bruce Ritchie reports in the Florida Current – Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to take immediate steps to reduce discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers in the event of heavy rains this summer. Corps officials have previously stated that such actions could result in a breach of the Herbert Hoover Dike, jeopardizing public safety. Read thefull story here.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board writes: As bipartisan springs legislation advances in the Florida Senate, the Florida House refuses to even consider the bill. The board writes, “(House Speaker Will Weatherford) has said that any changes in water policy will have to wait until next year’s legislative session. Meanwhile, a different bill that would change water policy by weakening protections at the local level has been moving through the House. So who’s kidding whom?” The board concludes, “If House leaders won’t move soon, Gov. Rick Scott needs to push them to act. Scott, who has talked up his interest in protecting springs on the campaign trail, has the political muscle to do it. But does he have the will?” ReadHouse must join Senate’s effort to rescue springs.

Bill Thompson reports in the Ocala Star Banner: Two dozen people spoke out against a proposed natural gas pipeline that would run from Alabama to South Florida at a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission public meeting yesterday. ReadRegulators get an earful over planned gas pipeline.

The Public News Service reports: The Obama administration proposed a new rule this week to clarify which types of water have Clean Water Act protection. Currently, more than 20 million acres of wetlands and 2 million miles of streams are unprotected due to two U.S. Supreme Court decisions. ReadProposed rule would close gap in Florida water protection.

Tom Swihart writes in the blog Watery Foundation: According to a new paper by researchers at Columbia University Water Center, “Florida withdraws a lot of groundwater in relation to surface area.” Swihart writes, “There are some opportunities to increase aquifer recharge but the main solution to groundwater over-pumping is to reduce pumping. See thefigures and find out more here.